General Discussion

Distraction Thefts throughout Devon and Cornwall

Devon and Cornwall Police are urging shopkeepers in the area to be on their guard following a series of distraction thefts in Devon and Cornwall.

The male appears to be travelling around Devon and Cornwall targeting small businesses. Whilst in the store he tells the cashier that his mother or grandmother has left a walking stick or similar and asks the cashier to go and look for it. Once the cashier (usually only staff member in the store) is looking for said item the male targets the till and takes the cash from it.

It appears that he travels around and over the last couple of days Looe, Wadebridge / Padstow and Plymouth have been targeted.

This is not the first message in relation to this offence. In November 2017 we appealed to the public to help identify a man in connection with the distraction thefts in Teignmouth and Dawlish using the same technique. As a result the male was charged and served a custodial sentence.